Chang Zhi naturally saw it. The red box, if it hadn't been for the impact of the rainstorm, he would not have been able to find it. At least he didn't see it when he came up, and his eldest brother didn't see it when he came to worship several times, and the tribesmen who came to take care of it every year also didn't see it.
The servants looked left and right, and Steward Ding was waiting for the Fourth Master to speak.
Chang Zhi's heart was pounding. Even though he didn't care about other people's affairs when he was a child, he knew some little secrets about his family, such as the fact that the family financial resources were a little too rich, and their branch was definitely weak, especially his grandfather, who was the only child. Yes, his father was also an only child.
Chang Zhi went forward personally and did not let the servant do it. He first kowtowed to his grandpa and grandma in front of the tombstone, and then started to dig the box. The box was not big and was buried quite deep.
If the water in the empty mountain had not been so large that it had broken out a corner, the thick soil would have made it difficult to discover it.
Chang Zhi dug it open himself. He tried it and found it was a little heavy. He picked it up carefully. It was about the size of a jewelry box. There was a lock on the box, and the gap was sealed with beeswax. No, the whole box was sealed, without any gaps at all.
Steward Ding was a little dazed, "Fourth Master, what should we do now?"
Changzhi held the box and looked at his ancestral grave. Actually, there were not many graves. "I will write back and ask Dad whether to build the ancestral grave in a place with good feng shui."
As for the things in his hand, he had to think about whether he should take them back himself or ask someone to take them back. Chang Zhi pursed his lips, he was worried about asking someone to take them back.
Steward Ding said, "Then let's repair it today?"
Changzhi nodded, "Yeah."
Because he was holding the box, he couldn't do it himself. He watched the servants fill the hole and add soil to the grave again. After making sure there would be no problems, he slowly went down the mountain.
Chang Zhi held the box, and did not let go even when his hands were tired. He carefully went down the mountain. Ming Qing was waiting at the foot of the mountain.
Ming Qing stepped forward. "Uncle Chang Zhi, is everything okay on the mountain?"
Chang Zhi? "Everything is fine up there, you should go back early as well."
Ming Qing glanced at the box that Uncle Changzhi was holding. He didn't think much about it and nodded with a smile. "I'm relieved that Uncle is safe. Then I'll go back first."
"Okay? Go back and tell the clan leader that everything is fine."
"Um."
Chang Zhi returned home? Su Xuan had already prepared hot water and clean clothes. Chang Zhi handed the box to his wife, "You carry it yourself."
Su Xuan was puzzled, but she didn't ask. She waited by the box. When her husband came out of the shower, she asked, "Where did this come from?"
Changzhi whispered about the discovery. "I think this box was buried by my grandmother."
Grandpa died first, so the only one who could bury something in front of his grandfather's tombstone was grandma. He felt that his grandma had a secret.
Su Xuan was surprised, "What about this box? How do we send it back to the capital?"
Chang Zhi frowned, "I think there are important things in here, and we must not let anything go wrong. You see, we will be able to return to Beijing in a few months. After thinking it over, I think it is safest for us to take it with us."
Su Xuan touched the box. There was a thick layer of wax on the box. The box was sealed very well. There might be several layers inside. It was obviously something very important. She asked doubtfully, "Don't my parents know?"
Changzhi replied, "When I was a child, I heard my mother say several times that grandma left in a hurry. I think she didn't explain it clearly."
Su Xuan was speechless. She saved such an important matter for last. "This is a lesson. I must explain it clearly when I am old."
Chang Zhi was happy, "Yeah."
Beijing, Zhou family, Zhulan can walk again, although she can't walk for too long, the foot injury has its benefits. She has turned down many social engagements, and even though the weather was abnormal, she still had some social engagements. Beijing is a social circle, and there are social interactions at all times.
Xuemei supported her mother and said, "Mom, I saw some porridge shops outside the capital these days."
Zhulan paused, "Are there any refugees entering Beijing?"
It shouldn't be nearby. The first wells were dug near the capital, and the court has already notified all states that there will be relief grain.
Xuemei explained, "There are still some who can't make ends meet. The harvests have been good in recent years, and a lot of the grain has been sold. Their families can no longer wait for relief food. Some still come to Beijing, but not many. I heard from some older people that this year's weather is abnormal and there is no drought disaster like in the past. The last time there was a drought, the outside of the capital was already crowded with victims waiting for relief."
Zhulan was happy, "It seems that the court's policies are effective."
Xuemei nodded, "The people around here all say that the imperial court is good. Mother, should we open a porridge shop?"
Zhulan didn't plan to open a porridge shop. She preferred to use the labor force and get what she paid for. "Wait until your eldest brother comes back, and I'll discuss it with him."
Xuemei smiled and said, "Okay."
Ministry of Rites, Chang Yi asked uncertainly, "Sir, are you really going to let me lead the team?"
He is only a seventh-rank official, why doesn't he believe it
Wang Ju was also surprised. After the Shangshu finished speaking, he also specifically asked about it. Later, he learned that the prince indicated, "Yes, you will lead the team to various countries this time. This is your opportunity, and it is also an opportunity you created yourself. It is a rare opportunity, you must make it happen."
Chang Yi was excited, and his voice became louder, "I will definitely do a good job."
Wang Ju smiled. He was most willing to see the Zhou family do well. The Wang and Zhou families were relatives. "Well, you should also prepare. Look up the situation of the diplomatic missions to various countries these days. You will set off in half a month."
Chang Yi clenched his fist and said, "Yes."
In the afternoon, Boss Zhou came back and said, "Mom, I saw the emperor near the city gate."
Zhulan, "Are you sure?"
Boss Zhou said, "My son is not mistaken, it is really the emperor. My son did not dare to follow him for too long, but the emperor should be going to see the refugees and the porridge shop."
Zhulan thought to herself that the affairs of state were now basically handled by the crown prince, while the emperor liked to go out of the palace in casual clothes from time to time to check around. This was actually quite good, as it was better to see things with one's own eyes than just reading memorials.
Zhulan asked, "There are refugees outside the capital. Do you have any ideas?"
Boss Zhou raised his eyes and looked at his mother, "Son does have some ideas."
"Tell me."
Zhou Laodao said: "My son doesn't have much ability, but he knows a little about farming. The vegetables in our yard are grown well by Li, so my son thinks that our land can no longer be harvested. My son wants to grow some vegetables to make up for the loss. So my son didn't rush into the city today, but went to check on the refugees and see how many strong men there are."
Zhulan smiled, very happily, because the boss's idea was the same as hers, "Then let's do it."
Boss Zhou responded, "Yes."
Zhulan waited until the eldest brother left, and then said to Mrs. Song, "Each family has made great progress. I used to worry about them, but now I don't have to worry about them anymore."
Mrs. Song, "That's also due to your and Master's good teaching."
She watched the masters in the family grow and change little by little, while the previous mistress and the master worried about everything.